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Jordan in recession as living costs rise, income stagnate

The National Society of Consumer Protection (NSCP) inJordan has warned that the domestic market’s demand has declined to an unprecedented level.

Consumer purchasing power fell significantly because of rising living costs which have not been met with an increase in incomes. The country has suffered a recession as a result.

The NSCP pointed out that the country’s capital Amman recorded the highest ratio in terms of sales decline compared to its population density, followed by Zarqa city and Irbid where the percentage of sales fell to more than 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.

NSCP Director Mohammad Obeidat explained that the survey included field visits to various shops selling foodstuff, clothing, furniture or other merchandise. In Amman, for example, there were four customers in every 100 shops during certain hours. The owners of these shops had to make several trade cuts, or use unprecedented marketing methods to sell their goods for fear of them surpassing their date of expiry and to provide cash to cover the high operating costs.

The situation is threatening the livelihoods of small traders, he continued.

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